Watch Partners of the Plains For Free

the audience applauded

Don't Believe the Hype

There are moments in this movie where the great movie it could've been peek out... They're fleeting, here, but they're worth savoring, and they happen often enough to make it worth your while.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Copyright 28 January 1938 by Paramount Pictures, Inc. New York opening at the Central (on a double bill with Telephone Operator): 11 February 1938. U.S. release: 14 January 1938. Australian release: 30 June 1938. 6,305 feet. 70 minutes. SYNOPSIS: When Lorna Drake, a spoiled English girl, arrives at the L-D Ranch, which she largely owns, on her way from London to California, she takes an immediate dislike to the ranch foreman, Hopalong Cassidy. Her rage increases when he makes it plain to her that he is one man who will not take orders from her, even if she does own the ranch on which he works. To get even with the man who has scorned her, Lorna has him arrested, charging him with stealing a horse, and then gets him released into her custody. Hopalong accepts his sentence with good grace, and under the spell of the Arizona moon they fall in love with each other. This proves too much for Ron Harwood, Lorna's Eastern fiancé, who is out for her money, and he plots with "Scar" Lewis. An excellent Image (also Platinum Disc) DVD. COMMENT: A somewhat unusual Hopalong in that it's longer on romance than action. True, there's time out for some great stunt work, but, oddly, little opportunity is made for comic relief. That's a plus in my books, but some fans are going to be a mite disappointed. Whatever, Russell Harlan's superlative photography is a mighty attractive asset too.

Partners Of The Plains finds Hopalong Cassidy and young protégé Lucky Jenkins signing on to get in shape a new ranch that some English people have bought. John Warburton over from across the pond seems nice enough, but young Gwen Gaze and her aunt Hilda Plowright act like they are to the manor born. Hoppy really has to put her in her place.Still she's intrigued by Bill Boyd because no one has ever treated her quite like that before. The owners also are bothered by rustlers headed by screen villain Al Bridge who has some history with Hopalong Cassidy.The film also seems an audition for Harvey Clark to replace Gabby Hayes as part of the trio. Clark had his moments as Baldy, but he died later that year.This film is recommended for the way Hoppy puts Gwen Gaze in her place, western style.

To my pleasure this was a different kind of Hoppy film, but it retained the best elements of the series — Hoppy's sterling, steely character, and his friendship towards his associates.The British owners of the L-D Ranch, where Hoppy is the foreman, are visiting the ranch on their way to California. The chief owner is snooty, imperious, self-absorbed Lorna Drake. What is unusual is how Hoppy's love-hate relationship with her dominates the length of the film. In fact, in the first half of the film there is absolutely no bad-guy activities. In the second half of the film, Scar Lewis, who had been sent to jail by Hoppy, finally makes his move: he convinces the spurned lover of Lorna to help him get Hoppy into a remote cabin where they can blast the dam to flood Hoppy to his death. That's it — no robbery, rustling, counterfeiting ring, etc — just a plan to kill Hoppy.Hoppy's movie-long bickering with Lorna got tiring at times, but for the most part was enjoyable. It's always fun to watch Hoppy's character withstand all adversity and forgive the temporary failings of his friends.

The early Hopalong Cassidy films were generally the best & this one is no exception. Hoppy is again joined here by the young Russell "Lucky" Hayden, as they help a lady in distress manage a ranch coveted by several sagebrush ruffians. The lady initially detests Hoppy, but soon becomes enamored of the black-clad foreman.Gabby Hayes is absent from this film, due to then on-going contract negotiations. While his presence is missed here, this film offers all the best elements of the classic Hoppy film. The action, script and casting here are superb. No one played the western hero better than William Boyd and he is at his prime here!One of the top 10 Hopalong films !